Clamped- info needed please

cojomo2

Hi,

car has been clamped (well known private company). I can have it off in 10 mins without damage. If I do this, and give the clamp back to the company(undamaged), am I likely to be prosecuted ? Looking for advice from someone who has done this before. Thanks

Turtle-TM

Why give it back? Leave it by the side of the road, make sure you put superglue in the lock though, then they have to cut the lock off.

Or charge them a release fee and storage fee. An arbitrary number like €500 release fee for your time taking the clamp off and €1,000 a day storage. Send them monthly invoices.

aaakev

No ypu won't be prosecuted, iv done it in front of the guards who just said to make sure i gave the clamp back or i could be done for stealing.

Its a great feeling handing them back tethe clamp so enjoy!

Valetta

Why were you clamped?

padair

Hypothetically some kids could walk by and cut the lock off for giggles. As long as no one sees the kids all would be fine. Maybe take a photo to prove that you didn't do it and to prove that you left the lock where you found it.

Falcon L

Valetta wrote: »

Why were you clamped?

Does it really matter?

Yawns

OP, you'll be fine as long as you don't damage it.

aaakev

Yawns wrote: »

OP, you'll be fine as long as you don't damage it.

Remember the one we did in naas and you photographed it all? That was a fun night!

Yawns

Pity I didn't go and take a pic of the handing back the clamp the next day to complete the collection

Golaco

Yawns wrote: »

Pity I didn't go and take a pic of the handing back the clamp the next day to complete the collection

That photo would definitely be one to stick on the fridge! A precious moment

galljga1

Yawns wrote: »

Pity I didn't go and take a pic of the handing back the clamp the next day to complete the collection

Yawns

Can you legally take a clamp off? In which scenarios? What tools do you need?

cojomo2

Thanks for the advice.All done a dusted with now- clamp returned and no money paid.

Yawns

galljga1 wrote: »

Yawns

Can you legally take a clamp off? In which scenarios? What tools do you need?

As long as it's not a local authority clamp or clamped on behalf of local authority.

Don't damage it and don't steal it.

Bring a decent socket set and possibly a breaker bar or crowbar of a bit of leverage I think was what ended up being needed in Naas that time.

For anyone who doesn't know the story, there was a thread here on boards where someone was clamped on private grounds and a few lads offered to help take it off. The guards showed up and once things were explained, they left when they were convinced we were not going to steal it.

cojomo2

I don't know if there is a standard method of clamping- but in my case the wheel and tie rod end were the only things I needed to adjust. Simple and no damage done at all.

galljga1

Yawns wrote: »

As long as it's not a local authority clamp or clamped on behalf of local authority.

Don't damage it and don't steal it.

Bring a decent socket set and possibly a breaker bar or crowbar of a bit of leverage I think was what ended up being needed in Naas that time.

For anyone who doesn't know the story, there was a thread here on boards where someone was clamped on private grounds and a few lads offered to help take it off. The guards showed up and once things were explained, they left when they were convinced we were not going to steal it.

I was clamped on Coningham road just after they had changed it to a paid parking area. I was parked between two signs, one pointing left, one pointing right but no sign covering the space in which my car war parked. I had to pay to have the clamp removed. I took photos and demanded a refund, and compensation for time wasted, expenses etc. which I duly received. It took a few weeks. The day after, one sign was removed leaving the space governed by the sign further down the road.

aaakev

Yawns wrote: »

Pity I didn't go and take a pic of the handing back the clamp the next day to complete the collection

I got pics of it! Think they are up on the old thread

colm_mcm

Thread here
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=79298736#post79298736

chewwy

I have been clamped outside my apt by NCPS. it must have been a slow day for the lads as the clamper knows who i am and that i am resident there too (state of my car).....are those wiley and elusive clamping faeries still out there?!

just out of interest- when you say 'dont damage it', is that possible? what part do you not damage when removing the clamp? Also has anybody had to deal with building management regarding removal of a clamp?

Yawns

If you don't need to drive anywhere, leave the car there with the clamp for up to a week. They'll take it off themselves when they realise you won't pay.

cojomo2

chewwy wrote: »

I have been clamped outside my apt by NCPS. it must have been a slow day for the lads as the clamper knows who i am and that i am resident there too (state of my car).....are those wiley and elusive clamping faeries still out there?!

just out of interest- when you say 'dont damage it', is that possible? what part do you not damage when removing the clamp? Also has anybody had to deal with building management regarding removal of a clamp?

step 1. jack up car
step 2.,remove wheel
step 3. undo tie rod end bolt and separate.
clamp is now free.

it's the management company that reported me. I rang them to explain I shouldn't have been clamped and they suggested I pay up and appeal . I told them the clamp fell off.

chewwy

Yawns wrote: »

If you don't need to drive anywhere, leave the car there with the clamp for up to a week. They'll take it off themselves when they realise you won't pay.

2 weeks with the clamp on now. Several emails sent to ncps admin and not even an acknowledgement from them. Im so frustrated. I think im just going to cut it off tonight- anybody know do i cut the lock or the chain?

Vicxas

chewwy wrote: »

2 weeks with the clamp on now. Several emails sent to ncps admin and not even an acknowledgement from them. Im so frustrated. I think im just going to cut it off tonight- anybody know do i cut the lock or the chain?

Most people tend to go for the lock as it can be easily replaced.

chewwy

Vicxas wrote: »

Most people tend to go for the lock as it can be easily replaced.

thanks-

Fred Swanson

This post has been deleted.

chewwy

Fred Swanson wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

Hey Fred. I emailed as a back up to prove that i had made an effort to communicate with them in a reasonable manner in case any (more) trouble arose from it. I made it very clear in the email i did not have the means to pay the 120 fine and it and would not be doing so as i am a resident here and was present with a neighbor as they clamped the car. The clamp has been on for 2 weeks now and its pretty distressing at this point. Going to walk to my local DIY and see if i can find a similar looking lock and remove it myself tomorrow.

Yawns

Yup, meant to say that if you are playing the long game, just ignore the whole situation. No calls, letters or communicating with them of any kind. As long as you talk to them, they know you will possibly pay.

chewwy

Yawns wrote: »

Yup, meant to say that if you are playing the long game, just ignore the whole situation. No calls, letters or communicating with them of any kind. As long as you talk to them, they know you will possibly pay.

Good point Yawns, but I'm not cool enough to just ignore them. Also I've seen them leave a clamp on an abandoned car for up to a month in this complex. The residents around here seem to just pay and not ask any questions so i presume the clampers see it as an easy way to up their commission. I have a small child and mind children for a living- i just need my car now. Ive done a good bit of reading on it and the whole private clamping scenario is ridiculous. ncps mafia. I spoke to a woman from the FLAC agency and she pretty much said if i was to remove it there would be very little they could do as their whole business is teetering on illegal and could go the way private clamping went in the uk (its considered illegal over there)

Wish me luck anyway and watch this space i suppose

...TBC

Falcon L

You're unlikely to get a lock that looks exactly the same as the locks NCPS use. They're a completely unbranded disc detainer lock, made of stainless steel and hardened chrome shackle. If you're contemplating cutting it, use an angle grinder. I wouldn't like to be cutting one of those with a hacksaw, and they won't break open with a lick of a hammer.

These locks can be picked with the right tool. Google image of 'disc detainer pick' to see what you're dealing with. Good luck!

PM me if you need more info

chewwy

Falcon L wrote: »

You're unlikely to get a lock that looks exactly the same as the locks NCPS use. They're a completely unbranded disc detainer lock, made of stainless steel and hardened chrome shackle. If you're contemplating cutting it, use an angle grinder. I wouldn't like to be cutting one of those with a hacksaw, and they won't break open with a lick of a hammer.

These locks can be picked with the right tool. Google image of 'disc detainer pick' to see what you're dealing with. Good luck!

PM me if you need more info

thanks Falcon L, I hadn't even thought of trying that. There's a good few videos on youtube and it seems like it can even be done with hairpins?!

If it works ill feel like a proper Miss Marple

mfceiling

chewwy wrote: »

thanks Falcon L, I hadn't even thought of trying that. There's a good few videos on youtube and it seems like it can even be done with hairpins?!

If it works ill feel like a proper Miss Marple

If you are going to cut it then cut a weld on the chain...softest part.

Fred Swanson

This post has been deleted.